Image: Black Bull Hotel
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good boogie. Give me a DJ set at a bar, a live band at The Exeter, or one of Adelaide’s many festivals, and I’m happy. But nothing quite hits the same as a full-blown, feel-good singalong. The songs are overplayed, the room is packed, drinks are getting spilled – but you wouldn’t want it any other way. On your feet, having a good time, and convinced, when three vodka sodas deep, that you could be the unofficial sixth member of the Spice Girls. I’d say I have a bit of an insatiable thirst for a good live-music singalong, and that’s exactly the kind of itch Piano on Hindley is about to scratch.
Coming this April above the Black Bull Hotel, Piano on Hindley is sure to become the new spot you end up at after a big night, chasing away the early hours of the morning with some Billy Joel, Elton John or Neil Diamond. The kind of place that leaves you with those memories of, “remember that time we ended up at Piano on Hindley? God, what a good night.”
At the heart of it all is pianist Simon Ross, who’s handing the reins straight over to the crowd. You pick the songs, he brings them to life. So the pressure’s on… what are you requesting to keep the room on its feet?
Simon shared a few fail-safe picks.
“Clearly Piano Man is right up there, along with a bunch of Elton John classics like Tiny Dancer and Rocket Man. Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey comes up most nights and usually gets the crowd up and about. Speaking of which, anything from ABBA is a sure-fire starter. And Mr Brightside by The Killers always lands, along with the evergreen Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi.”
We’re pretty confident that once any of these start playing, “just one more song” quickly turns into two… then three… and before you know it, it’s 3am, the lights are up, and the piano bar is calling last drinks.
When asked what he loves most about piano bars, Simon summed it up perfectly, and it’s exactly why this is set to strike a chord with Adelaide locals.
“What I love most about piano bars is how raw and ‘in the moment’ they are. When you’ve got an entertainer who can riff with the crowd and go wherever the night takes them, it creates some of the most spontaneous moments you’ll ever see. That’s the magic of it for me, the feeling that anything could happen, and that the night you’re experiencing will never happen the same way again”
Simon is no stranger to live piano, having opened 8 piano bars in Melbourne already – yet Piano on Hindley will be his first foray interstate.
“When I saw Hindley Street, I literally couldn’t believe the amount of buzz & foot traffic on the street. I instantly thought it would be the perfect location for a wild, late night singalong piano bar. Then I was lucky enough to be introduced to the owners of the famous Black Bull Hotel, & the rest is history. Hopefully it will be a seriously successful long term partnership that provides the residents of Adelaide with more diversity in the range of entertainment that the famous Hindley Street strip offers.”
Arriving just in time for Gather Round, the team behind this new project know exactly what they’re doing. With the city set to absolutely come alive, Hindley Street will be spilling over with AFL fans and anyone chasing a good night all weekend long – but climb the stairs above the Black Bull and you’ll find a secret little boogie wonderland, where you can dance shoulder to shoulder with 300 others. If you’re coming from interstate, make sure to leave a little room in your carry-on for those dancing shoes.
“I think often people have a vision of piano bars being something like ‘lounge’ music or ‘jazz bars’, with flashy decor & expensive drinks etc… My vision of a piano bar is something a lot closer to a ‘dive’ bar, where wild late night fun is totally encouraged. My piano bars tend to attract a super varied range of audience members, be it their age, their cultural background, or just how well off they are. The beauty for me has always been creating beautiful community spaces where everyone feels safe, & have the feeling they’re in their second lounge room. Kind of like a ‘house party in a bar’, where anyone is free to talk to anyone.”
Opening April 10, Piano on Hindley can’t wait to welcome you into Adelaide’s new home-away-from-home.
And here’s a little insider tip: if you really want to get Simon fired up, here’s what you should request…
“My guilty pleasure sing-along is Barbie Girl by Aqua. Don’t ask me why—but there’s something incredibly fun about playing that tune live in front of a big, pumping crowd!
Piano on Hindley
Where: 58 Hindley Street
When: Opening April 10th, then Friday and Saturday 8pm – 3 am
For more information, click here.
